Marsupial Nutrition [Paperback]

Ian D. Hume (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 052159555X | ISBN-13: 978-0521595551 | Publication Date: June 28, 1999 | Edition: 1

Marsupial Nutrition describes the food resources used by marsupials from small insectivores to large folivores. It discusses the ways in which these animals' digestive systems and metabolism are designed to cope with foods as different as nectar and fungus, tree sap and tough perennial grasses, and insects and eucalypt foliage. Although the subject species are marsupials, the general principles of nutritional ecology and digestive strategies that are introduced at the beginning of the chapters are applicable to all mammals. Advanced undergraduates and graduate students in the areas of vertebrate zoology, nutrition, ecology, and digestive physiology will find Marsupial Nutrition particularly instructive, and wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and nutritionists will also find much of interest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although its title sounds esoteric, this book is of potentially great interest not only for physiologists but also for evolutionists, vertebrate zoologists, wildlife biologists, and mammalian systematists of all sorts...This book is an exceptionally interesting example of how expertly done organismic biology can combine information from cranial and dental anatomy, physiology, soft anatomy, and ecology to yield a pioneering synthesis such as this. Copius and well-chosen illustrations make this book a pleasure to study. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and all researchers in mammalogy and mammalian paleontology." CHOICE

"This is a book that every serious student of marsupials must possess...an excellent monograph on an active topic. It is destined to be the major reference on the subject for many years, and will surely stimulate much new work in the discipline. The book has been produced to the high standard one expects from Cambridge and is well worth the price of a dinner for two at a Sydney restaurant." Australian Zoologist

"Hume does a superb job of synthesizing an enormous amount of literature into a coherent and thought-provoking book. It is highly recommended for anyone who works in mammalogy, nutritional ecology, plant-herbivore interactions, wildlife ecology, animal biology or foraging behavior. It would serve as an excellent reference for a graduate course in digestive physiology." The Quarterly Review of Biology

"[W]ill prove a useful reference for zoologists working in comparative nutrition, ecology, or digestive physiology. If this is your area of study, there is no substitute. Veterinarians and nutritionists with interest in this subject will also be well rewarded." Canadian Veterinary Journal

Book Description

Marsupial Nutrition describes the food resources used by all groups of marsupials and the ways in which they digest and metabolise a diverse array of food. The general principles of nutritional ecology and digestive strategies that are introduced are also applicable to all mammals. The book will be of interest to readers from a wide range of biological areas, including ecology, wildlife management, veterinary science and zoology. Advanced undergraduates and graduate students will find Marsupial Nutrition particularly instructive.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (June 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052159555X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521595551
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,612,195 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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